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Legislative Advocacy

In Massachusetts, State Senator Cynthia Stone Creem (D-Newton) is a long-time proponent of improving food allergy policies. In January, Senator Creem filed two bills of consequence:

  • SD618, will require schools to have Food Allergy and Prevention Plans, and require training for school personnel on how to prevent allergic reactions, and procedures to follow if an allergic incident occurs.
  • SD680, an act to improve food allergy awareness, builds on existing law, by requiring restaurants to designate an individual with knowledge about food allergy issues to coordinate food service for customers who identify themselves as having food allergies.

Editor’s note: one of our constituents, the mother of a child who had a life-threatening allergic reaction, has for the last year dedicated herself to fight for positive actions that will make restaurants safer for those with food allergies.

In New Hampshire, AAFA New England has been advocating that, if anything, copay cards reduce the costs of pharmaceuticals to both insurance companies and patients. While the insurance industry testified otherwise at hearings on the matter, the legislative committee hearing the testimony recommended that copay cards/coupons should continue to be allowed. Clearly a win for AAFA New England’s constituencies.

In Massachusetts, a bill to outlaw the use of copay cards is now being considered. In addition to AAFA New England’s plan to contact legislators and testify before committees, individuals should contact their own state representatives, voicing strong support for continuing the use of copay cards to keep lower the cost of prescriptions. It is with your help that we can have positive impacts on the policies that affect us all!